UPSC 2017-18: PIB Summary and Analysis Dec 13

This is in line with the emphasis given by Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal on increased use of information technology to go digital and online with a view to promote transparency and efficiency in the system.

Details

The vendor/contractor need to register with the online IT platform developed in house by CRIS, New Delhi called Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS).

The registration enables the vendor/agencies to see their bill status with dates through various stages of processing of bills, the stage at which it is lying, the amount for which it is passed and other details.

The history feature is also available so that a vendor can see the history of the bills submitted. The bill tracking facility is available to the vendors/contractors of goods and services.

The infirmities in the bill that need to be addressed are also visible to the vendor/contractor.

RRM Dedicates to the Nation Two Crucial Bridges in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh

Injupani Bridge, a 140 metre long bridge on Roing-Koronu-Paya road, which is a part of Trans Arunachal Highway. The completion of the Injupani Bridge would provide an uninterrupted access between Roing & Tezu, both important district HQs in Arunachal Pradesh.

Deopani/Eze Bridge, which is 300 metre long pre-stressed concrete balanced cantilever bridge over the Eze river at Roing in Arunachal Pradesh.

Significance

The timely completion of these crucial bridges, would provide round the year connectivity to the strategic Dibang valley bordering China.

India Signs Loan Agreement with World Bank for US$ 250 Million for (SANKALP) Project

A Financing Agreement for IBRD loan of USD 250 million (equivalent) for the “Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Project” was signed with the World Bank.

The Objectiveof the project is to enhance institutional mechanisms for skills development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for the work force.

Details

The Key result areas for the project include Institutional Strengthening at the National and State Levels for Planning, Delivering, and Monitoring High-Quality Market-Relevant Training; Improved Quality and Market Relevance of Skills Development Programs; Improved access to and completion of skills training for female trainees and other disadvantaged groups; and Expanding skills training through private-public partnerships (PPPs).

Kalvari to be Commissioned

Kalvari is first of Indian Navy’s Scorpene class stealth submarines being built under the Project 75.

Scorpene-class submarine:

The Scorpene class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarine jointly being developed by the French DCN and the Spanish company Navantia and now by DCNS.

It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion (AIP) system.

The state-of-art features of the Scorpene include superior stealth and the ability to launch an attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons.

The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube launched anti-ship missiles, underwater or on surface.

Designed to operate in all theatres including the tropics, the submarines can undertake multifarious missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, operations by special forces and mine laying etc.

The Scorpene is believed to be stealthier than the average submarine because of its advanced combat management system and low acoustic signature.

It also uses a noise-cancelling technique, whereby its equipment is mounted on elastic to prevent noisy vibrations from travelling outside the vessel. Its body is also designed to be more difficult for sonar to detect.

What is Air-independent propulsion?

AIP is any technology which allows a non-nuclear submarine to operate without the need to access atmospheric oxygen (by surfacing or using a snorkel).

It can augment or replace the diesel-electric propulsion system of non-nuclear vessels.

Significance of AIP:

Significantly improves stealth because it enables a submarine to generate electricity for services and battery charging and propulsion while completely submerged. AIP systems also generate electricity, powering a submarine’s to operate and also generate oxygen, lighting and amenities for crew.

They enable conventional diesel-electric submarines to remain submerged for two to three weeks at a time. This significantly increases the risk of detection. Another advantage is that the Non-nuclear submarines running on battery power or AIP can be virtually silent.

Project 75I-class submarine

It is follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarine for the Indian navy.

Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire 6 diesel-electric submarines, which will also feature advanced Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range.

All six submarines are expected to be constructed in Indian shipyards.